Customer Reviews

Widows' Peak

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a top rate murder-comedy that more movies should be like. Think of the movie "Clue" only in Ireland.

OK... so the main performers are mostly English with an American thrown in for good measure -- still, it's set in Ireland with many talented Irish actors involved and the humor is as Irish as it gets! ("Back that at 8 to 1, ya bollix.") Each non-Irish actor is thoroughly convincing though and I had no clue that Natasha Richardson wasn't born in America her accent is that good!

The movie itself is set in Ireland with all the beautiful rolling hills, quaint towns (Inistioge? Help me out, people...) and scenic lakes that country has to offer. I can watch this movie over and over for the background alone - and often do. The twist had the end is one you'll never see coming which makes the movie that much the better.

If you love great acting, Ireland, mystery and a good laugh then watch this film. And be sure to bug New Line Studios for a DVD version!!

This excellent comedic mystery takes a dig at the social hypocrisy permeating small town life in 1920s Ireland. Into their prim and proper society, a mystery, a scandal and even a murder descends. In the little lakeside town of Kilshannon, a group of widows lord it over the townsfolk. Led by Mrs. Counihan (Joan Plowright), they hold themselves apart from the town's men and others of lesser ilk. Their life is turned upside down with the arrival of a young English widow (Natasha Richardson) who instantly ensnares the Matriach's only son. But one of the clique, Miss O'Hare (Mia Farrow) holds an instant dislike to the new arrival. What lies behind the mysterious animosity between the two. What hold does the penniless, tart-tongued Miss O'Hare have over the rest of the widows? Will their mutual antipathy lead to murder? As an oh-so-genteel, parlour mystery it works deliciously. Savour the final twist at the end.

This DVD release from New Line Entertainment is one of the most beautiful transfers I've seen in a long while. The original photography of the Irish countryside, resplendant in greens and blues is exquisitely rendered in this transfer. Colors are gorgeously rich and natural. Black levels are perfect. The level of fine detail is revelatory. It's a joy just to watch the scenery unfold onscreen. It is presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (enhanced for widescreen TV). Soundwise we are given a choice of 5.1 DTS, Dolby 5.1, and the original Dolby Stereo. All in, an absolutely admirable release from New Line. Definitely worth the asking price.

Don't give up on this film. There may be several times where you may want to, but trust me, there will be a pay off and a great ending, should you ride it out.

That and the fact that this is a cast you just can't assemble these days! Excelllence all around. Acting. Screenplay. Directing. Just get it! Or if you don't get it, you really don't "get it."
BEK

Widow's Peak continues to stand out as one of the most delicately charming, and above all, funny movies of the last twenty years. This well-told tale thoroughly transports you to an Irish hamlet dominated by landowning widows (headed by the ever-quirky Joan Plowright) and concerns the town secret - why the snobbish women have taken poor-as-Job Mia Farrow under their wing, and the arrival of mysterious young widow Natasha Richarson to stir things up. Delightful characterizations and turns of the phrase will make you chuckle throughout and leave you smiling for days. With Jim Broadbent.

"Widow's Peak" is one of the few films I have ever seen that I would characterize as flawless. The performances of Joan Plowright, Mia Farrow and Natasha Richardson are first rate. The story keeps you laughing despite the obviously sinister plot. The scenery is wonderful. Richardson does an excellent job as a villainess you love to hate. Farrow has never been better than in this role as the mousey and mad Mrs. O'Hare, who (a la Cassandra)no one believes when she talks about the sinister nature of the newly arrived widow. Plowright is perfect as the know-it-all grandam of the small Irish town of Kilshannon. And through it all, right along with Ms. O'Hare you know exactly what is going on--or do you? This quaint and well-crafted tale has a surprise ending that, in a non-supernatural way, is just as startling as that in "Sixth Sense". I laughed out loud when I realized how thorougly I had been "had" all the way through the film. John Irvin is to be highly commended for the way he guided the cast thorugh this superb creation without giving away the real nature of the mischief afoot until the very end of the film. A must-see for any mystery film fans, especially fans of mysteries in the UK.

Admittedly, the film tries so hard to lead you in a direction opposite the final plot twist that some things don't quite hold water. However, in all other respects the film is such a delight it's easy to forgive a few inconsistencies. We loved it so much we were about to buy a region 2 copy and a code-free DVD player when we discovered a region 1 version had been released. As others have already said, the scenery is beautiful, the acting is outstanding, especially Mia Farrow and Joan Plowright who hits exactly the right note as the queen bee of her little matriarchal society.

This film puts to shame all the heavily hyped Hollywood darlings like Sideways and The Aviator. We've recommended it to a lot of friends and to date, they've all loved it.

We did find the heavy Irish/English accents a little hard to understand at times. I was forced to turn on the captioning to catch it all. In almost every respect this movie is a treat!

How nice this is coming on dvd in the states. I have a Region 2
copy and the digital transfer is outstanding. Mia Farrow, Joan
Plowright and Natasha Richardson are delightful in this film of
a small Irish village run by the widows. Richardson is the mysterious newcomer whose arrival opens many cans of worms. I liked all the little bits that are part of the movie like being
suspicious of "foreigners" and the gossipy women. Jim Broadbent
and Adrian Dunbar contribute to the festivities. Definitely for
the ENCHANTED APRIL crowd of which I am a charter member.

Filmed in rural Ireland near a lake, the scenery is breathtaking in WIDOWS' PEAK. Natasha Richardson plays a young widow bent on mischief, and seems to enjoy the role immensely. Mia Farrow and Joan Plowright provide the supporting roles as the older widows of the area. The suspense lingers throughout the film, and leaves the viewer grasping for answers. The costume designer did a fabulous job with the period costumes, especially Natasha Richardson's and Joan Plowright's. This was an entirely underrated film when it came out, and I feel that it will be appreciated by video viewers for many, many years.

I chose to view this DVD out of admiration for Joan Plowright, but soon found myself enchanted even more by the performance of Mia Farrow. And Natashe Richardson delighted me too, as did the beautiful Irish land- and river- scapes. The lower layers of meaning gradually emerged until the ending delighted me by its entirely appropriate, if unexpected, outcome. A film you will need to watch more than once.

Mia Farrow and Natasha Richardson are the perfect foils in Widows' Peak (1995). Named for an Irish village in which numerous widows have congregated, the town is turned upside down when a pretty young widow arrives, setting off a feud with the middle aged Miss O'Hare. Most of the film centers upon the growing conflict between the two, each of whom is fostering a romance with a local swain. It soon becomes apparent who is really running this community, and it isn't the mayor! When Miss O'Hare disappears, the indomitable Mrs. Counihan accuses the obvious suspect. The denouement comes in the form of a surprising and satisfying twist.

The scenery and the character actors bring much charm to this romantic mystery, sure to please viewers who enjoy such movies as Tea with Mussolini and A Month by the Lake.